Seat cushioning device

ABSTRACT

The present invention uses air, among other things, to provide cushioning on a seat in order to cushion the genital-perineal area, the medial aspect of the upper leg area, and the buttocks area of a user. In addition, the present invention relates to seat cushion devices that are essentially self-inflating, and capable of deflation by the user. Furthermore, the present invention relates to seat cushion devices in which the user may vary the amount of air that the device contains for cushioning purposes. The present invention comprises a deformable cushion surrounded by an airtight chamber. In addition, the airtight chamber has a release valve mounted though it, which serves to either allow or prevent air flow to or from the deformable cushion. In order to decrease the amount of air that is used for cushioning, the user compresses the deformable cushion, thereby forcing air out of the deformable cushion through the release valve. Once the desired amount of air is contained in the deformable cushion, and while the deformable cushion is still under compression, the user closes the release valve, thereby preventing air flow to or from the deformable cushion. In this respect, the device is capable of being adjusted to contain an amount of air for cushioning that the user desires. Later, if the user desires a greater amount of air for cushioning, the user may open the release valve that allows air to flow into the deformable cushion as the deformable cushion expands to its original shape. This aspect of the present invention makes the seat cushion device essentially self-inflating.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.60/300,051, filed Jun. 20, 2001.

STATEMENT RE: FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a seat cushioning device that providescushioning on a seat in order to cushion the genital-perineal area, themedial aspect of the upper leg area, and the buttocks area (hereincollectively referred to as the “upper leg areas”) of a user. Morespecifically, the seat cushioning device of the present inventionrelates to the use of air, among other things, in order to providecushioning to the upper leg areas of the user. In addition, the presentinvention relates to seat cushion devices that are essentiallyself-inflating, and capable of deflation by the user. Furthermore, thepresent invention relates to seat cushion devices in which the user mayvary the amount of air that the device contains for cushioning purposes.One embodiment of the present invention is a cushion for a bicycle seat.

2. Description of the Related Art

The prior art discloses various types of cushioning devices that use airin order to provide cushion for a user. Many prior art devices disclosecushioning devices that involve the pumping of air under pressure intoan air-tight bladder defining a chamber. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos.4,429,915; 5,938,277; 5,244,251; 5,318,344; 5,419,612; 5,280,993;5,524,961; 5,558,395; 5,738,406; 5,636,896; and 6,012,772 generallydisclose the injection of air under pressure into an inflatable bladderfor the purposes of cushioning the upper leg areas of a user. U.S. Pat.Nos. 5,020,852; 5,121,962; and 5,330,249 generally disclose the fillingof a bladder with fluid for the purposes of cushioning the upper legareas of a user. U.S. Pat. No. 5,948,013 ('013) discloses a therapeuticlower back-support pillow that uses a resilient material containing airfor the purposes of cushioning the lower back of a user.

More specifically, the '013 patent discloses a lower back support pillowthat comprises, among other things, a resilient material inside of anairtight bag, with a valve installed in a selected region of theairtight bag. Under the '013 patent, the valve is arranged to provideeither a closed state wherein the airtight bag and the valve form anairtight closure around the resilient material, or an open state whereinair can freely flow into and out of the airtight bag through the valve.In addition, the '013 patent discloses that a user is able to vary thethickness of the lower back support pillow. In order to decrease thethickness, the valve is opened, pressure is applied externally so as tocompress the pillow to a desired thickness while exhausting a quantityof air from the pillow, and the valve is then closed, thereby retainingthe desired thickness. In order to increase the thickness, the valve isopened, a quantity of air is allowed to enter the pillow as theresilient material expands to the desired thickness, and the valve isthen closed, thereby retaining the desired thickness.

The prior art fails to provide an essentially self-inflating seatcushioning device for the purposes of cushioning the upper leg areas ofa user. More specifically, the prior art does not provide for anessentially self-inflating seat cushioning device for the purposes ofcushioning the upper leg areas of a user that is user-adjustable withrespect to the amount of air used for cushioning. The present inventionprovides an essentially self-inflating seat cushioning device for thepurposes of cushioning the upper leg areas of a user that addresses theaforementioned deficiencies, as well as other deficiencies of the priorart.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a seat cushioning device that providescushioning on a seat in order to cushion the genital-perineal area, themedial aspect of the upper leg area, and the buttocks area (hereincollectively referred to as the “upper leg areas”) of a user. Morespecifically, the seat cushioning device of the present invention usesair, among other things, in order to provide cushioning to the upper legareas of the user. In addition, the present invention is essentiallyself-inflating, and capable of deflation by the user. Furthermore, thepresent invention allows the user to vary the amount of air that theseat cushion device contains for cushioning purposes.

The seat cushioning device uses a deformable cushion, an airtightchamber, and a valve, among other things. The deformable cushion is madeout of a material that readily deforms when it is compressed and air isexpelled out of the material. In addition, once the material is releasedfrom compression and allowed to take on air, it returns to its original,pre-compressed shape. An airtight chamber surrounds the deformablecushion and makes the flow of air to or from the deformable cushionpossible through a release valve that is mounted through a wall of theairtight chamber. The release valve may be opened to permit the airflow, or closed to prohibit the air flow. Furthermore, the airtightchamber may have a sleeve attached to it that is designed to slip overand secure the seat cushioning device over a seat.

In operation, a user opens the release valve so that air is able tofreely travel from the deformable cushion. The user then forces air outof the deformable cushion through the release valve by compressing thedeformable cushion and surrounding airtight chamber. Once the user hascompressed the deformable cushion to contain the desired amount of airfor cushioning, and with the deformable cushion under compression, theuser closes the release valve in order to prevent the flow of air intoor out of the deformable cushion. As a result, the amount of airprovided by the present invention for cushioning purposes may beadjusted to contain an amount of air that the user desires. Thedeformable cushion remains in its compressed state until the releasevalve is opened and the deformable cushion is allowed to take on air andreturn to its original shape. This aspect of the present invention makesthe seat cushioning device essentially self-inflating.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a bottom view of a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 1A shows a side cross-sectional view of the preferred embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a side view of the preferred embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 3 shows a side, deflated view of the preferred embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 4 shows a top view of a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4A shows a side cross-sectional view of the second embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 5 shows a side view of the second embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 6 shows a side, deflated view of the second embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 7 shows a bottom view of the second embodiment of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

One object of the present invention is to solve seat or gel cushiondiscomfort.

Another object of the present invention is to avoid pain that is causedby or aggravated by using a hard seat or gel cushion.

Another object of the invention is to solve the over stimulation of thegenitals that results from riding upon a seat that has too firm of asurface such as a hard seat or a gel cushion.

Another object of the invention is to solve prostate or hemorrhoidalpain or discomfort that is aggravated by using a hard seat or a gelcushion.

Another object of the invention is to solve joint stress or joint painin elbows, wrists, shoulders, hips, knees, or ankles that is caused bythe shifting of body weight or rising off of the seat due to riding overrough terrain, bumps, pot holes, surfaces which rapidly change incomposition, or surfaces that are shoddy.

Another object of the invention is to solve the numbness in hands,wrists, or arms that is caused by the shifting of body weight forward inorder to lessen discomfort or pain in the upper leg areas due to ridingon a hard seat or gel cushion.

Another object of the invention is to solve the short duration of ridingtime and lack of enjoyment because of pain due to riding on a hard seator gel cushion.

Another object of the invention is to solve the reluctance or fear ofexercising on a bicycle because of the memory of pain that results fromriding on a hard seat or gel cushion.

A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The preferred embodiment of the present invention (11) as shown in FIG.1-3, relates to a seat cushioning device that is capable of beingdeflated and comprises, among other things, a deformable cushion (12),an airtight chamber (14), and a release valve (16). In addition, thepreferred embodiment preferably has a fastening device such as a sleeve,strap, belt, Velcro, tape, stitches, rivets, adhesive or equivalentdevice (not shown) that is used to secure the seat cushioning device toa seat. The seat cushioning device may have any shape, or may bedesigned to conform to various styles of seats.

The deformable cushion (12) is constructed from a resilient, durablematerial such as a synthetic foam material that is readily compressibleby expelling air out of the material. In addition, once the material isreleased from compression and allowed to take on air, it returns to itsoriginal, pre-compressed shape. The airtight chamber (14) surrounds thedeformable cushion (12) and is made out of plastic, rubber or otherairtight material. In addition, the airtight chamber (14) substantiallyconforms to the size and shape of the deformable cushion (12).

The release valve (16) is mounted through a wall of the airtight chamber(14). The release valve (16) may be opened in order to serve as apassageway for air to either enter or exit the deformable cushion (12)through the airtight chamber (14). In addition, the release valve (16)may be closed in order to prevent air flow either into or out of thedeformable cushion (12). When the release valve (16) is opened, thedeformable cushion (12) is able to expel air if being compressed, ortake on air if being released from a compressed state. When the releasevalve (16) is closed, the deformable cushion (12) is able to neitherexpel nor take on air. The fastening device (not shown) is substantiallyfixed to the airtight chamber (14) and is designed to generally securethe seat cushioning device to a seat.

In operation, a user opens the release valve (16) so that air is able tofreely travel into or out of the deformable cushion. The user thenforces air out of the deformable cushion (12) through the release valve(16) by compressing the deformable cushion (12) and surrounding airtightchamber (14). Once the user has compressed the deformable cushion (12)to contain the desired amount of air, and with the deformable cushion(12) under compression, the user closes the release valve (16) in orderto prevent the flow of air into or out of the deformable cushion (12).Thus, device is capable of being adjusted to contain an amount of airfor cushioning that the user desires. The deformable cushion (12) thenremains in its compressed state as shown in FIG. 3 until the releasevalve (16) is opened and the deformable cushion (12) is allowed to takeon air and return to its original shape as shown in FIG. 2. This aspectof the invention makes the seat cushioning device of the presentinvention essentially self-inflating.

A SECOND EMBODIMENT

A second embodiment of the present invention device relates to acushioning device for a bicycle seat and comprises, among other things,a deformable cushion (12); an airtight chamber (14); and a release valve(16). In addition, the second embodiment preferably has a sleeve (18).The deformable cushion (12) and the airtight chamber (14) generallyconform to the shape of a bicycle seat. Furthermore, the sleeve (18)generally slips over a bicycle seat and secures the cushioning device tothe bicycle seat. However, the shape of each of the portions of the seatcushioning device may be modified to conform to various styles ofbicycle seats.

The deformable cushion (12) is constructed from a resilient, durablematerial such as a synthetic foam material that is readily compressibleby expelling air out of the material. In addition, once the material isreleased from compression, it returns to its original, pre-compressedshape when it is allowed to take on air. The airtight chamber (14)surrounds the deformable cushion (12) and is made out of plastic, rubberor other airtight material. In addition, the airtight chamber (14)substantially conforms to the size and shape of the deformable cushion(12).

The release valve (16) is mounted through a wall of the airtight chamber(14). The release valve (16) may be opened in order to serve as apassageway for air to either enter or exit the deformable cushionthrough the airtight chamber. In addition, the release valve (16) may beclosed in order to prevent air flow either into or out of the airtightchamber (14). When the release valve (16) is opened, the deformablecushion (12) is able to expel air if being compressed, or take on air ifbeing released from a compressed state. When the release valve (16) isclosed, the deformable cushion (12) is able to neither expel nor take onair.

The sleeve (18) is substantially fixed to the airtight chamber (14) andis designed to be slipped over a bicycle seat and to generally securethe inflatable bicycle seat cover to a bicycle seat. In addition,alternate embodiments may include a draw string (20) within the sleeve(18) such that the user may gather the sleeve (18) close to the bicycleseat by pulling the draw string (20) taught and securing the draw string(20) to remain taught with a bead (22), knot, or similarly knowndevices. In still further alternative embodiments, the means of securingthe inflatable bicycle seat may be any means known in the art including,tape, stitches, rivets, adhesives, or any means known or developed.

In operation, a user opens the release valve (16) so that air is able tofreely travel into or out of the deformable cushion. The user thenforces air out of the deformable cushion (12) through the release valve(16) by compressing the deformable cushion (12) and surrounding airtightchamber (14). Once the user has compressed the deformable cushion (12)to contain the desired amount of air, and with the deformable cushion(12) under compression, the user closes the release valve (16) in orderto prevent the flow of air into or out of the deformable cushion (12).Thus, the seat cushioning device is capable of being adjusted to containan amount of air for cushioning that the user desires. The deformablecushion (12) then remains in its compressed state as shown in FIG. 6until the release valve (16) is opened and the deformable cushion (12)is allowed to take on air and return to its original shape as shown inFIG. 5. This aspect of the present invention makes the seat cushioningdevice essentially self-inflating.

The above-described embodiments of the present invention are intended toillustrate the principles of the invention, but not to limit its scope.The invention may be embodied and practiced in other specific formswithout departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore,all of the embodiments presented herein are to be consideredillustrative and non-restrictive in all respects.

1-20. (canceled)
 21. A seat cushioning device for a bicycle seatcomprising: a deformable cushion made from a resilient, durable materialand shaped as the bicycle seat; an airtight chamber having a wall andsurrounding said deformable cushion; a release valve in said wall ofsaid airtight chamber; and a fastening device connected to said airtightchamber, wherein said fastening device comprising a sleeve configured tosurround the bicycle seat on all sides.
 22. The seat cushioning deviceof claim 21 wherein said airtight chamber substantially conforms to thesize and shape of said deformable cushion.
 23. The seat cushioningdevice of claim 21 wherein said deformable cushion is made from asynthetic foam material.
 24. The seat cushioning device of claim 21wherein said airtight chamber is made out of a material selected fromthe group consisting of plastic and rubber.
 25. A seat cushioning devicefor a bicycle seat comprising: a deformable cushion made from aresilient, durable, synthetic foam material and shaped as the bicycleseat; an airtight chamber having a wall and surrounding said deformablecushion; said airtight chamber made out of a material selected from thegroup consisting of plastic and rubber; a release valve in said wall ofsaid airtight chamber; said airtight chamber substantially conforming tothe size and shape of said deformable cushion; and a fastening deviceconnected to said airtight chamber, wherein said fastening devicecomprising a sleeve configured to surround the bicycle seat on allsides.